Xiaomi files a lot of foldable design patents but none see the light of the day. Right from the time it’s first foldable smartphone prototype hit the radar of leaks, Xiaomi’s camp has remained dormant so far. Now, a new patent reveals that Xiaomi is trying out yet another design of Samsung, this time a generation older with a twist.
Credits: LetsGoDigital/Xiaomi
The new patent find is once again by LetsGoDigital. Xiaomi Mobile Software Co. Ltd. has applied it earlier this year(Jan 2) on CNIPA. CNIPA stands for China National Intellectual Property Administration). The patent has been published today(October 20). From the looks, and the description on the CNIPA website, it is definitely a foldable smartphone.
Surprisingly, the design looks a lot like the Samsung Galaxy’s foldable device with an inward folding design. Also, the front cover has a secondary screen and a triple rear camera setup. Both these resemble the First generation Galaxy Fold from 2019. Also, the vertical hinge resembles a lot like the Fold but with a flatter design. That said, we notice the difference on the inside. The bigger screen is edge-to-edge and doesn’t have a cutout at the top-right corner like the “Fold”.
EDITOR’S PICK: Xiaomi patents a smartphone camera system with tilting sensors
However, there is a vertical stripe on the right side of the big screen. It is probably for the camera sensors with a flashlight/face-id scanner. This strip resembles one of the earlier patents from Xiaomi. The interesting thing about this design is that the big display lies well inside the frame surrounding it. This makes it fold and lay flush unlike the small hole left on Galaxy Fold. So, you can imagine the uniformity, and to put it into perspective, it should lay flat if you put it upside down on a surface.
Having said that, there is no other info regarding this, and considering it’s a patent, we are left to stare at just 3D schematics. Samsung is currently the leader of foldable smartphones and its latest Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a reference point for many. Accordingly, companies like Xiaomi and Huawei have been following their footsteps by patenting similar designs. While Huawei has come out with Mate X, and Mate Xs, Xiaomi’s design hasn’t gone past the testing and is yet to get a breakthrough.
UP NEXT: Xiaomi pledges to trim down its packing plastic by 60% but won’t dish the charger
